The Los Angeles Dodgers have made many key changes to their pitching roster this offseason, but despite all the acquisitions, one of the biggest X factors is a familiar face.
Tyler Glasnow earned his first All-Star honor during his inaugural season in Los Angeles.
After a dominant showing for a majority of the regular season, elbow tendinitis sidelined the Dodgers ace in August and he missed the rest of the campaign.
The Newhall, CA native grew up about 40 miles from the stadium that he was performing so well in prior to his injury. His career-high 134 innings saw 168 strikeouts to only 35 walks which was good for a 3.49 ERA.
Staying healthy is certainly towards the top of Glasnow’s to-do list going into 2025.
Manager Dave Roberts recently revealed an adjustment that Glasnow made in an effort to maintain more of his health.
“I think with Tyler, my opinion is he gets too mechanical at times and not let his natural athleticism and compete kind of drive his outing,” Roberts said. “I think this spring, that’s where he’s been. He’s freed himself up a lot more this spring.
“The main thing with Tyler is after starts, and sometimes during starts, he didn’t feel comfortable with his arm and there was some residual (discomfort),” Roberts said. “So right now, it’s really free and easy and he’s recovering really well.”
Recovery will be huge for the right-hander, and with such a stacked pitching rotation, something that may be more of an option this season.
Two-time Cy Young award winner Blake Snell was brought in this offseason as well as international phenom Roki Sasaki who showed a small but mighty sample size of his dominance this spring.
Although the Dodgers will open the season with a five-man rotation despite rumors of switching to a six-pitcher cycle, three-time MVP Shohei Ohtani and three-time Cy Young award winner Clayton Kershaw will also expect to take on some starts as the season progresses.
Glasnow’s health will be paramount in 2025 as the pitcher eyes competing in the finals days of October.
